File.



No. 720,972. I PATENTED FEB. 17, 1903.

J. SGHAEFFER.

FILE.

AQBLIGATION FILED MAY '1'; 19 02 30 MODEL.

' Q attoznaq warren STATES PATE T fission,

JESSEE SCI-IAEFFER, OF BERLINSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

FlLE.

.EBPEGIEIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,972, dated February 1'7, 1903 Application filed May 7, 1902. Serial No. 106.330, [No model.)

of various kinds, the object thereof being toprovide a simple article which will securely 'vious.

hold any ordinary-sized package or number of papers, so that all may be examined and any one or more removed when desired, the structure being extremely inexpensive to manufacture. V

In the drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, Figure 1.

is a perspective view of the improved file. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line X X of Fig. 2.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawlogs.

The file comprises two relatively movable members carrying coacting clamping elements that are arranged to embrace and hold any papers placed between them. One of these members comprises a convexed base 10, having a centrally-arranged boss 11, from which projects an upstanding ofiset curved standard 12. This standard carries at its upper end a horizontally-disposed clamping element in the form of a ring 13, which is located over the base. The standard and ring are preferably formed of a single piece of wire, the intermediate portion of which is looped to form the ring, the terminals being arranged side by side and the extremities being embedded in the base and boss. The other member comprises a curved actuating-stem 14, which is slidably mounted upon the standard 12 and fitting in the channel formed by the parallel relation of the wires, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. This stem is held in place upon the standard by means of keeper-sleeves 15, secured to said standard and surrounding the stem, being bent to conform to the shape thereof. The upper end of the'stem carries an inwardly-extending finger 16, to the inner end of which is attached a clamping-arm 17,

that extends across and normally rests upon the clamping-ring 13. This arm is normally held in coacting relation with the ring by means of a coiled spring 18, one end of which bears against the upper sleeve 15, the other end-bearing against a pin 19, passed transverse ly through the free end of the stem, the

lower sleeve 15 being of sufficient size to per- Imit the passage and free movement of said fspring.

The manner of using the device will be ob- The papers to be held are inserted between the clamping-ring 13 and the arm 17, the spring 18 pressing said arm firmly against the papers. The clamping members maybe readily separated for the purpose of inserting the papers by pressing upon the free end of the stem 14, the said end thus constituting actuating means for the stem, as will be readily understood. As a result said papers will be securely held in place, though they may be readily examined and any one or more removed without disturbing the others, the clamp holding only by its frictional contact. The ring affords a comparatively large base or bearing surface, while the single cross-bar will permit the free throwing back of the papers during their examination. Further than this by having the lower clamping element or ring stationary and the upper clamping element or arm movable papers may be placed upon or removed from the top of the pile Without disturbing those beneath. It will be apparent that a very useful and simple article is thus provided which will'constitute an effi cient holder or file and which can be manufacturedatextremelysmallcost,asbothclamping elements can be made of wire, While their clamping action is thorough, because of the ends of the arms coaoting directly with the ring. Furthermore, it is very convenient, as letters or other papers can be removed from any part of the pile held without removing or disturbing the others.

From the foregoing it is thought that the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a file of the class described, the combination with a standard, of a clamping-ring carried by the standard, a stem slidably mounted upon the standard, and a cross-arm secured intermediate its endsto the stem, said cross-arm extending across the space within and coacting with the ring.

2. In a file of the class described, a pair of relatively movable members, one of which has a clamping-ring the other carrying a clamping-arm that extends across the space within and coacts with said ring.

3. In a file of the class described, a pair of relatively movable members, one of which has a clamping-ring the other carrying a clamping-arm that extends across the space within and has its ends coacting with said ring, and a spring bearing against both members to yieldingly hold the arm and ring in coacting relation.

4. In a file of the class described, a standard carrying a clamping-ring, and a stem slidably mounted upon the standard and hav-.

ing a clamping-arm that extends across the space within and coacts with the ring.

5. In a file of the class described, a standard carrying a clamping-ring, spaced guidesleeves secured to the standard, and a stem slidably mounted in the guide-sleeves and having a clamping-arm that extends across and coacts with the ring.

6. In a file of the class described, a base,

an oifset curved standard secured to the base, a horizontally-disposed clamping-ring attached to the upper end of the standard, a curved stem slidably mounted upon the standard, and a clamping-arm that extends across and normally rests upon the ring, said clamping-arm being secured to the stem and being movable therewith.

7. In a file of the class described, a base, an offset curved standard projecting above the base, a horizontally-disposed clampingring attached to the upper end of the standard and being located over the base, acurved stem slidably mounted upon the standard and carrying aclamping'arm that extends across and normally rests upon the ring, and a coiled spring surrounding the stem to hold the arm in engagement with the ring.

8. In a file of the class described, the combination with a suitable support, of a relatively stationary clamping member, a stem having a portion slidably mounted on the support and extending beneath the stationary clamping member, said stem having one end projecting at one side of said stationary clamping member, and constituting actuating means for the stem, and a relatively movable clamping member secured to the stem above and coacting with the upper face of the stationary member.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' JESSEE SCHAEFFER.

\Vitnesses:

DAVID MCKENNA, J OHN J. AUER. 

